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This week nine state champions will be crowned in Chattanooga at Finley Stadium.
For some teams, it’ll be a repeat of years past as they look to extend their championship streaks. Others will be looking for their first gold ball in some time and for others, they could be raising gold for the first time.
Looking into each matchup, we decided our interest in each state championship game.
Here’s how we ranked all nine games from the one’s we’re most interested in to the ones we think could get ugly.
1. Houston (12-2) vs. Oakland (13-1)
Will the Patriots get their revenge or will Houston make it two in a run?
Last year the Mustangs dominated Oakland en route to their first state championship. They haven’t been as dominant in this postseason run, but did more than enough to earn that ticket back to Chattanooga.
Oakland’s been hit or miss on defense in recent weeks. Where they’ve been their best is when the ball is in Daune Morris or Craig Tutt’s hands.
2. Alcoa (12-2) vs. Westview (14-0)
Alcoa is going for 10 straight which could have easily put this game much lower on the list. However, who they’re playing is the reason it’s so high.
Westview’s had one of its best seasons ever and a lot of that has to do with freshman phenom Graham Simpson. He enters the game having thrown 56 touchdowns on the season with only one interception.
This game has been the Alcoa invitational over the last decade. However, Westview’s offense is something that the Tornadoes typically don’t see this time of the season.
3. Page (14-0) vs. Sevier County (14-0)
Page has been in this spot four straight years now and all they know is silver. Sevier County is here for the first time with an upstart sophomore quarterback.
Something has to give.
The Patriots have been dominant defensively this season, cruising past teams and only allowing 2.2 points per game. Sevier County had no issues in the regular season, but have been tested over the last three weeks by Knox West, Oak Ridge and Powell.
4. Macon County (12-2) vs. Melrose (11-3)
Folks in Lafayette may immediately build the statues for Kyle Shoulders and the Borders twins if Macon brings home gold in its first-ever state championship appearance.
The Tigers are on a historic run that includes revenge wins over Upperman and White County before last week’s historic 43-41 semifinal win over Anderson County.
Melrose has sneakily been one of the best 4A teams all season. The Golden Wildcats are stout defensively and on offense they’re led by Missouri commitment Jamarion Morrow.
5. Marion County (12-2) vs. Milan (13-1)
Two of 2A’s best athletes square off in this one in Milan’s Jaydon Peete and Marion County’s Sam Pickett.
These are also two programs starved for state title gold. Milan hasn’t won a state championship since 1999 finishing as the 3A runner-up in 2020.
As for Marion County, they haven’t won a gold ball since 1995. They were state runners up in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
6. BGA (11-2) vs. CPA (13-0)
A rematch of the regular season matchip CPA won 49-16, both teams are playing their best ball at the right time of the season.
CPA hasn’t been tested since its Week 2 game at Pearl-Cohn. They’ve dominated teams en route to an eighth-straight championship game appearance.
Bobby Bentley’s Wildcats have progressively gotten better since early season losses to CPA and FRA. Where they could spring the upset this time around is with their defense. They’re only giving up an average of 9.8 points since the FRA loss.
7. MASE (12-1) vs. South Pittsburg (12-2)
I think everyone expected this matchup to be a rematch of last year’s championship between McKenzie and South Pittsburg. Instead MASE played spoiler with a huge come-from-behind win to beat the Rebels last week.
This is a contrast of styles with South Pitt’s punishing ground game and MASE’s aerial attack. The Pirates have railed off 12 straight wins since starting the season 0-2.
8. Baylor (12-0) vs. McCallie (10-2)
Last year this game was loaded with future Division I talent and featured the two best teams in the state regardless of class. This year’s game doesn’t have quite the luster seeing what Baylor did in the regular season matchup.
The Red Raiders have arguably the best backfield in the state and no one has been able to slow that down. McCallie isn’t as stout offensively as they were last year meaning if they get behind early, it could be a long Thursday night.
9. Columbia Academy (10-3) vs. Nashville Christian (11-1)
Is Columbia Academy 38 points better than they were the last time these two teams squared off? It’s hard to imagine that’s the case.
The Bulldogs have played well, but Nashville Christian is just on another level. Their defense hasn’t been as strong in recent weeks but Jared Curtis and TJ Ward more than make up for that.
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